Where have all the scooters gone?, by Katherine Rivard

Columbia Street runs south all the way to Red Hook Farms. Then, before the street meets Halleck Street, a piece of it branches off to the left. The street continues, stretching alongside the Gowanus Bay, before making a tight right. At this point, you can follow it another 750 feet or so until you come to a tall metal fence. Although access ends, Google Maps shows how the land takes another sharp right, creating a thin, stiff-lined “U” of land which, along with the Ikea waterfront, spoons a body of water called Erie Basin. This final “arm’” of land holds approximately 7,000 cars. This is the Erie Basin Pound).

Criminals on 2 wheels?

On June 5, Mayor Adams and former New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Caban announced enhanced enforcement against illegal mopeds and scooters. The NYC Department of Sanitation hosted the announcement’s press event, which involved destroying more than 200 confiscated mopeds and scooters. The increased attention on mopeds resulted from a spike in confiscated illegal and unregistered motorized 2-wheeled vehicles last year. The spike continued into 2024, made more stark by reports that scooters and other small vehicles were being used by criminals to facilitate fast escapes. In addition to increasing enforcement by the NYPD, the Adams administration has advocated for two pieces of legislation aimed at requiring registration and licensing at the point of sale for motorcycles (Senate Bill S7703 sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Bill A8450 proposed by Assemblymember Alex Bores).

According to a spokesperson from the NYPD Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information, the number of 2-wheeled vehicles and ATVs seized by the police have increased between 2023 and 2024 citywide (18,430 vehicles in 2023 versus 21,338 between the start of 2024 and September 18), and the increase in “Brooklyn South” has been even more drastic (1,703 vehicles in 2023 versus 3,085 between the start of 2024 and September 18). The spike in moped confiscations means that the Erie Basin Pound has received a growing number of mopeds, alongside cars, e-bikes, and more. It is currently home to tens of thousands of mopeds.

Unclaimed bikes destroyed

Those hoping to have their vehicles returned must jump through several hoops. Beyond its discreet location, the Pound has limited hours for release of vehicles: Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. (closed on holidays). Once their paperwork is complete, visitors to the Pound must find their vehicle among hundreds of others, with little system besides separation by year and borough. Language access is yet another barrier. Visitors who do not speak English must either find someone to help translate, use a translation app on their phones, or, if they’re lucky, receive assistance from the two NYPD staff members who speak Spanish.

If a vehicle is privately towed, the owner incurs a $170.56 towing fee. Additionally, owners must pay a storage fee of $5 a day once the vehicle is cataloged at the Pound. If mopeds are not claimed (and more than half are not), they are removed by a private carter. Owners have approximately 90 days to collect their vehicle before it may be taken away.

The only silver lining to having to visit the Erie Basin Pound? A trip out to a hidden piece of Red Hook’s waterfront.